Thursday, February 9, 2012

White Man's Burden in Cuba

This cartoon, titled "The Bitter Pill," demonstrates an element of resistance to the white man's burden. While Spain certainly had an economic interest in maintaining its control over Cuba, its control over the island was also partially justified by a moral claim that Cubans needed Spanish guidance.

Q: Does this cartoon demonstrate a Spanish resistance to moral justifications of empire (such as the white man's burden)? Alternatively, does it represent a cynical view of Spain's ability to maintain control on the island?